Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 04/06) - He was expected to be a Christmas Eve gift, but instead baby Chad Mitchell Anaittuq waited until New Year's Day to make an appearance into the world.

Born in Yellowknife on Jan. 1 at 1:54 p.m., baby Chad was born to Sheila Anaittuq of Kugaaruk.

He had the distinction of being the city's first baby of the new year.

"I'm really excited and happy," Anaittuq said of her long-awaited son's arrival.

Chad Mitchell, with a head covered in silky dark hair, weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. at birth.

Anaittuq said she knew it was finally time for the celebration New Year's Eve at about 10:30 p.m. when she showed up at the hospital.

Anaittuq had been waiting to give birth in Yellowknife since Nov. 27. She was anxious to return home, where she said her family was very happy about the new baby.

She spent Christmas with family and friends in the city.

Anaittuq is also the mother of two boys and two girls.